How the body's microbes shape blood immune responses in sepsis
Microbiomes regulate neutrophil responses in sepsis
Researchers will look at whether differences in people's microbiomes change how their neutrophils react during sepsis, which might explain why some patients fare worse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11267225 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project examines whether microbes present in human blood 'train' neutrophils (a key immune cell) to respond differently to infection. The team will analyze blood samples and test neutrophil reactions to inflammatory triggers, and will use mouse models that carry different microbiomes to reproduce findings seen in humans. By comparing microbiome patterns and neutrophil behavior, researchers hope to find signals that explain varied patient responses to sepsis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults able to provide blood samples, including healthy volunteers, people at high risk of infection, or patients treated for sepsis at the University of Rochester.
Not a fit: People without sepsis or without neutrophil-driven inflammatory problems are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this early-stage research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to markers that predict sepsis risk and suggest microbiome-based ways to reduce harmful neutrophil overreaction.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and observational human studies suggest the microbiome shapes immune responses, but applying blood-microbiome effects to neutrophil priming in human sepsis is a relatively new direction.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Minsoo — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Kim, Minsoo
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.